East Hampton Authorities on the Lookout for Jaguar

Things are literally getting wild as the summer winds down in East Hampton, N.Y. According to East Hampton Patch, the Department of Environmental Conservation is following up on supposed big-cat sightings in the area.

Officials are searching for a jaguar after receiving a call about a 5-foot long, gray, cat-like creature prowling the area. A farmer contacted authorities, describing the animal over the phone while it picked through his compost pile.

By the time officers arrived at the location, the cat had fled, but large paw prints were found around the property. Photos were taken of the marks and sent to DEC headquarters for identification. No further evidence of a jaguar was found on the farm, so a camera has been installed on the land to keep a lookout.

Overall, officers are skeptical that the cat will make another appearance. An Environmental Control Officer on the job for 30 years told Patch these sightings usually turn out to be large pet dogs or cats,not exotic jungle cats.